How To Install Bed Rail With Straps

Getting in and out of bed is one of the peak reasons for falls for seniors.

Many of these falls could have been prevented with the addition of developed bed rails. I decided I wanted to provide an overview of how to install and utilise bed rails for seniors.

The bed rails discussed in this post will focus on improving ease of bed mobility by giving a stable take hold of point for anyone to use when rolling, pulling up in bed, or transitioning from laying down to sitting upward.

At that place are several different types of bed runway for the seniors. In this guide, I'll specifically address 2 styles of adult bed rails that attach by sliding into position between a box jump and a mattress. These specific bed runway crave a box spring and mattress. Below are images of the 2 styles that we volition be installing.

Adult Bed Rail with Fixed Handle — Adult bed rail with stock-still handle and adjustable anxiety

Adult Bed Rail with Swing Away Handle — Adult bed rail with swing-abroad handle, adaptable feet, and wide base

If you lot prefer a video how-to, please check out my video on my YouTube Aqueduct!

Overview

Estimated Time: 10 minutes
Estimated Cost: $30 USD*

Supplies Needed:

Standard bed rail kit (all necessary installation supplies included)
A "standard" bed runway kit is a bed rail with a fixed arm. Here is a standard bed rail kit from Bulldoze Medical:

The one we will be setting up is called the HandiRail, but it is essentially the same every bit the Drive Medical ane above

Adult Bed Rails - HandiRail Box — Here's i adult bed rail chosen the HandiRail that we chose

Bed Rail Kit with Swing-Away Arm
Another pick for a bed rail is 1 with a "swing-away" arm. These are more expensive (about $123 USD*), only may offer more flexibility when getting in and out of bed. I volition be demonstrating both.

HealthCraft Bed Rail with Swing-Away Arm

Tools Needed:

3/32 inch allen wrench

*all prices are at the fourth dimension of publishing

Steps:

Assemble bed runway
Position bed runway between mattress and box spring
Push bed rail into position until information technology is flush with the border of the mattress
Adjust leg acme to lucifer the acme of your bed

Bed Rails for Seniors – Step 1: Assemble Bed Rail

The offset footstep is assembling the bed rails. Assembling the bed rails will exist dependent on the brand/type you select. Virtually bed runway for the seniors consist of 3 parts: the handle, a piece that slides betwixt box spring and mattress, and the feet.

Adult bed rails assemble the bed rails — Assemble the three parts together

These pieces are typically assembled using button pins. The feet are adaptable and so you tin friction match them to the height of the bed. Some adult bed rails also come with additional improver features like a rubber strap or pockets.

The safe strap is an optional addition that attaches the bed rail to the reverse rail of the bed frame with a buckle for added security. I recommend these specially for bed rails that do not have anxiety to ensure maximum stability.

Bed Rails for Seniors – Step 2: Position Bed Runway

When positioning a bed rail, information technology is of import to know how you volition be using it. I highly recommend positioning it near the caput of the bed nigh the width of a pillow away from the superlative of the mattress.

Adult Bed Rails Position Near Head of Bed — Adult bed rails positioned near the head of the bed

This will ensure that you won't be positioned too far down the edge of the bed when attempting to go in and out.

The 2d bed rail type (HealthCraft Swing Away Bed Rail) has the feature of a swing-away arm.

Adult bed rail swing-away open position — Adult bed rail with swing-away arm in open up position

This allows it to be positioned slightly farther downwards the bed due to the arm being moveable when necessary to arrive and out. This is a nice characteristic if the person using the rail is too a significant fall chance from rolling out of bed. The first option of adult bed rail would not be the best for preventing these types of falls.

Bed Rail for Seniors – Footstep 3: Push Bed Track Into Position

Push button the bed rails betwixt the box spring and mattress until the handle is tight to the edge of the mattress.

It is important that y'all avoid a gap betwixt bed runway and mattress to prevent a possible pinch point and ensure it is positioned within piece of cake reach while lying in bed.

Adult bed rails swing-away push under mattress — Button the bed rail nether the mattress and above the box spring

Bed Rails for Seniors – Footstep 4: Adjust Leg Peak

Adjust the height of the legs/feet of the bed rails. The legs on these bed rails will adjust with a push pin assembly. The feet should sit flat on the floor once adapted to match your bed height.

Adult bed rail with feet on floor — Ensure the anxiety of the bed rail are flat on the floor

If y'all accept a alpine bed, adult bed rails with feet may not be the right type of bed runway for you. A rail without leg rests is as well bachelor and more advisable for a bed with greater meridian.

The second bed runway type (with swing-away arm) installs with one additional aligning step that volition require a 3/32 size allen wrench to adjust the height of the locking mechanism. This volition allow for the entire leg length to adjust to fit the summit of your bed.

Adult Bed Rails swing-away lock adjustment — The height of our swing-away arm bed runway could exist adjusted with a 3/32 allen wrench

That'due south all the steps to install bed rails. Please recall to practise a safe cheque earlier using your bed rails.

We reviewed how to install two types of bed track, however, in that location are other types every bit well particularly for those beds without box springs. Some developed rail adhere directly to bed frames. Research bed rails for the seniors if your bed requires this type of bed rail.

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